Cooker, meths or petrol.

[Zenarchy]

Sounds like you got a bargain there, you could scratch/dent it first time out, and i've seen em close to 50 quid new.
i read somewhere that white spirit is ok to use in trangias.

They're usually on ebay for less than £10 and many of the army and navy stores have the surplus ones (though they've often been used they're still in working condition) for around the same price. The used ones on ebay are sometimes less than £5 if you keep an eye out (though the delivery cost usually pushes the price up to £10ish).

This is the guy I bought mine from:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Swedish-army-t...QQcmdZViewItem

I think the ones that are unpainted or come in stainless steel, or the round non-army ones are much more expensive, but I figured if the paint was a problem I could always sand it off.

Might be worth a look if anyones looking for a cheap stove. From what I can tell, the boil time isn't as good as gas or a petrol stove, but then they're cheap, come with everything you need, and meths should be fairly easy to find anywhere so have their advantages. Also very compact and light so handy to stick in a pannier or top-box or bag.

[AIRWOLF]

There is someone selling 'coke can' stoves on fleabay. (not me)

Bet theirs don't work on unleaded either.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=016

[davsato]

well why not if you can get a few pennies. personally its the fun of making it thats the point, only some sort of tit would go out and buy one.
thats admitting youre a moronic clumsy oaf who cant even manage to bend a pair of soda cans to your indomitable will ("imperial march" from empire strikes back playing in the background)
probably an MP or a high court judge sort of person, or gordon brown

[Critch]

with meths Try using alu pans, trangia use them they seem to soot a little less,
also spead a little washing up liquid on the outside, soot will just wash off really easy

[Zenarchy]

Another tip I'd heard is to add a teaspoon of water into the meths to prevent sooting (not sure of the exact water to meths mixture but it'll be online somewhere). Also a little touch of naptha to make it easier to light in cold conditions is meant to be helpful.

I tried mine in the garden a few days ago, with just straight meths and it didn't really soot up, so perhaps it only happens when you're cooking something that takes some time (only had it going for a few minutes to cook some noodles).

[R0vers]

I just got myself one of those swedish army trangia stoves and cook sets from ebay. Was meant to be new but it looks a bit dinged up and scratched (though doesn't have any burn or soot marks so I guess it's unused technically).

For a little over a £10er including delivery, even with it being a little scratched, you can't go wrong (should have just picked up a used one for less from ebay in retrospect though). I haven't had a chance to try it yet as I need to get some meths, but it comes in the handiest light compact package with everything you need (burner, burner cap, fuel bottle, water pan, frying pan and windshield) that fits together neatly into a package about the size of a binocular case.

I've been so tempted to stick naptha in it to give it a try until I get to the shops to pick up some meths, but every time I've been tempted that image of your coke can like a flamethower springs to mind then I think twice (your picture here as probably saved me from some nasty burns and a sooty kitchen ). Hopefully I'll be able to get out and pick up some meths over the weekend and give it a try.

Just brought one too!!! - they look the dogs danglies..and cheap too!!

but - it did say on the ad that they run on meths? - i presume that i can just syphon a bit of petrol out of my tank when needed?? - a definate @ accesory!!

[Zenarchy]

Just brought one too!!! - they look the dogs danglies..and cheap too!!

Cool. Did you get one from the same guy? If so it might be worth checking carefully that it hasn't been used when you get it (if you've paid for a new one). Mine has definitely been used and was sold as new which is a bit disappointing (but hardly worth sending back considering the price and it still works fine so I'm still quite happy with it).

For the price of them I don't think you can go wrong. Really neat little package with everything you need, so great for taking on the bike.

but - it did say on the ad that they run on meths? - i presume that i can just syphon a bit of petrol out of my tank when needed?? - a definate @ accesory!!

I wouldn't use petrol in them (see further up the thread). Up to you ofcourse, but it'll likely make a mess of the pans, polute your food and potentially burn and poison you. Meths or alchohol only I think (though there are a few different types of alchohol that you can probably use meths is probably the cheapest - If there's a wholesaler near you that'll probably be half price or less than B&Q and similar - or you could try the chemists).

[AIRWOLF]

Just brought one too!!! - they look the dogs danglies..and cheap too!!

but - it did say on the ad that they run on meths? - i presume that i can just syphon a bit of petrol out of my tank when needed?? - a definate @ accesory!!

Check out the petrol fueled stove in first post , the pan had a 2mm coating of soot before the cup of water was warm ( 1 min ).

From above experience i would say DO NOT use unleaded.

But don't take my word for it, try it out in the back garden. just make sure your wife does'nt have any washing on the line,

[Zenarchy]

Just remembered - if you like the trangia set you've got but do want to use gas or petrol in it, you can get some little attachments and burner replacements so you can use the same set with other fuels. They seem a bit pricey, but if you're wanting to have support for alternative fuels and still use the same cookset and shield then they might be worth a look (might be able to pick up one used from ebay at a bargain price if you keep your eyes open long enough).

edit: like these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trangia-Gas-Bu...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trangia-Multi-...QQcmdZViewItem

Seems like a lot of hastle and expense though and one more thing to carry when meths or other alcohol is so cheap and widely available (plus it uses very little to cook a meal).

[davsato]

i dont think these fit the swedish army trangia, its not the commercial circular pan that your used to seeing, its a neat little one man cup+lid, stand, burner and (should come with) a little bottle for meths. the cup lid is also a little pan. this packs up the same sort of size as a military water bottle.
you can get them in stainless or ally, they are a good, idiot proof small stove